Investigation PE09005: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Jan 26, 2009

Closed

Jun 22, 2009

Model years

—

Subject

Suspension bolt failure

Component: Suspension › Front

Summary

Odi received one vehicle owner questionnaire report (odi # 10249600) alleging that a bolt failed in a rock krawler suspension lift kit.the vehicle was in motion on a public roadway at the time of failure, which caused a collapse of the front suspension and a vehicle disablement.no crash or loss of control was alleged. Rock krawler submitted a defect information report to odi regarding the subject suspension kit in a june 9, 2009 letter.the report indicates that a defect existed in certain suspension system kits rock krawler manufactured from august 1, 2008 through october 15, 2008.rock krawler sources a retention bolt, which secures the lift device to the vehicle's front suspension strut, from a second tier hardware supplier.according to rock krawler, the supplier inadvertently provided a grade 2 bolt instead of the grade 5 bolt specified by rock krawler's order.when the securing bolt fails, the vehicle's front suspension may lower, possibly rapidly, causing disablement and, under some circumstances, may increase the risk of a loss of control or crash.a total of 44 suspension kits may have contained the suspect bolt.no crashes or loss of control have been reported, and no injuries are alleged. After receiving an initial consumer complaint in october 2008, rock krawler took action to address this concern including posting web announcements and sending letters to its distributors.this was prior to odi's involvement and rock krawler has advised that no further incidents have been reported since that time.rock krawler has filed a defect notification as required by federal law, and accordingly this investigation is closed.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.